Raleigh Ballet Studio Photography

What a fun afternoon this was photographing these beautiful ballerinas for Renner Dance. Thanks so much to Little Apple Styles for helping with this shoot. I love, love, love photographing little ballerinas, (they are just soo cute!) and these girls absolutely loved Summer. It was so awesome to watch her teach and direct during their class. How awesome that she is a Radio City Rockette, too – she is just so talented!

Acccording to Summer…

How long have you been in ballet/dance? What are your credentials?
I have been dancing since I was three years old. I grew up dancing at Dancensations Dance Center in Northern Virginia. I won numerous titles and high score awards at various competitions. I also trained with the Washington Ballet under Miss Mary Day, where I was a member of the Young Dancers and apprenticed with the company in many performances. I attended many summer intensives including the American Ballet Theatre, Kirov Academy of Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. I also have a BFA in Dance from Florida State University and I was the Captain of FSU’s Dance team when we were ranked 2nd in the nation. I danced as a Radio City Rockette in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for 6 years and it was an incredible experience! I also am an American Ballet Theatre® Certified Teacher, and I completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.Are you currently dancing as well as teaching?I just finished my 6 year career as a Radio City Rockette. It was a fantastic experience and I am so grateful and blessed to be able to say that I got to be a professional dancer. I met some of the most amazing people through dancing with Radio City and I couldn’t imagine a more wonderful experience!

Who are some of the teachers that have inspired you?

My teacher, Gloria Hampton has inspired me the most. She choreographed almost all of my solos from the time I was 5 all the way through until I graduated and I can’t thank her enough for all the time she spent with me. She was like a second mom to me growing up and she taught me so many lessons not only about dance but about life as well. I hope I can be half the teacher she is!

Another teacher that inspired me was my ballet teacher, Troy Brown. He taught me a great appreciation for working hard and he always believed in me no matter what. He made me believe I could be a professional dancer! He always called me “Summer Breeze” when I turned well and I will never forget how that made me feel! I want to make my students feel the exact same way.

The first ballet teacher I had was Michelle Noblejas Bartolemei. She sewed my first pair of pointe shoes for me and we had our first lesson in my kitchen! She sparked my passion for ballet and pushed me, and believed in me from a young age. She now runs a beautiful ballet studio in California and I aspire to influence kids the way she does!

What has been your most memorable moment as a dance teacher?
Every time one of my students comes off stage and they give me a BIG hug is my favorite moment. Seeing that expression on their faces when they know they nailed their routine is absolutely priceless and worth everything to me!

What styles of dance classes do you teach?
I teach Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acro, Musical Theater, Pointe and Tap.

What is your favorite part of teaching?
I love seeing the children’s faces when they learn something new on their own. When they get a new skill and they master it, it is the most amazing feeling to watch their confidence grow. I also enjoy creating bonds with my dancers and watching them grow from year to year. The bond that I created with my teachers growing up is priceless to me and I want to have that with my students.

Are you excited about your new studio? Where will the new studio be located?
I am thrilled to be opening my new studio! It has always been a dream of mine to open a studio and have a competition company and I am thrilled that it is coming to fruition. I am excited to create a studio family and watch children grow with their dancing. My studio is in Chapel Hill NC. (11312 US Hwy N 15-501 Suite 102 Chapel Hill NC 27517.) We are very excited to be a part of the Chapel Hill community!

What will make your studio different from others in the area?

My studio is based on strong technique. We value ballet training and want our students to learn the value of training. We will provide a family friendly atmosphere and want our kids to love coming to dance! We will create an environment where kids want to come in and be a part of our studio family and we are so excited to bring that to Chapel Hill.